Overview

The Structural Design of Mid-Rise Concrete Buildings course provides a comprehensive approach to the design, analysis and construction of medium-rise reinforced-concrete buildings in Abu Dhabi.

Across sixteen modules, participants examine structural design loads and combinations, seismic requirements, shear-wall design, static seismic analysis using ETABS and deep-foundation modelling using SAFE. The course then progresses into construction-focused requirements covering concrete cover, curing, reinforcement anchorage and lap splices, tolerances, concrete inspection and testing, joints and embedded items, fire resistance, concrete mix design, formwork, reinforcement handling and execution quality.

The course combines theoretical principles, software-based analysis and practical site applications. The training material references ACI 318, ADIBC 2013, ASCE 7, ACI 117, ACI 211.1 and relevant ASTM standards, supporting participants in connecting structural calculations with construction quality and seismic performance.

Who Should Enrol?

This course is designed for professionals involved in the design, analysis, supervision or construction of medium-rise reinforced-concrete buildings, including:

Civil engineers.
Structural design engineers.
Structural engineering consultants.
Site and project engineers.
Contractors and site supervisors.
QA/QC engineers involved in reinforced-concrete construction.

The course is particularly relevant to professionals seeking to bridge structural engineering theory, seismic design, software modelling and practical site execution within the Abu Dhabi construction environment.

Why This Course Matters

Medium-rise buildings require coordinated consideration of gravity and lateral loads, seismic behaviour, structural-system continuity and foundation interaction. Design decisions must also be carried through correctly during construction to ensure that the intended strength, stiffness, ductility and load paths are achieved on site.

Even a technically correct structural design can be compromised by poor reinforcement anchorage, inadequate curing, incorrect concrete cover, misplaced embedded items, premature formwork removal or poor workmanship. This course therefore connects analysis and design with the QA/QC and construction practices that directly influence structural performance.

Participants develop an integrated understanding of the complete structural process—from load definition, seismic analysis and deep-foundation design to concrete placement, reinforcement detailing, inspection and final execution.

Course Deliverables

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Interpret and apply structural design loads and load combinations for medium-rise buildings.
Determine seismic design parameters and apply the seismic requirements presented under ADIBC 2013 and referenced ASCE 7 provisions.
Design and evaluate reinforced-concrete shear walls for lateral-load resistance.
Develop and assess static seismic models of regular medium-rise buildings using ETABS.
Model and design pile-supported deep-foundation systems using SAFE and evaluate load transfer between the superstructure and foundations.
Apply seismic detailing requirements for concrete cover, reinforcement anchorage, lap splices and critical structural zones.
Evaluate concrete curing, mix design, testing and inspection requirements for seismic-resistant construction.
Control construction tolerances, joints, sleeves, embedded items and fire-resistance detailing during execution.
Apply appropriate formwork, reinforcement handling and storage practices to protect structural quality.
Evaluate construction sequencing and workmanship to support continuity, durability and seismic performance throughout project execution.

Why Professionals Choose This Course

Combines structural design, seismic engineering and construction execution in one integrated learning pathway.
Covers structural loads and seismic requirements applicable to medium-rise buildings in Abu Dhabi.
Includes dedicated shear-wall design and lateral-stability concepts.
Provides practical ETABS workflows for static seismic analysis of regular medium-rise buildings.
Includes SAFE modelling and design of pile-supported deep foundations.
Connects seismic design requirements with reinforcement detailing and concrete construction practice.
Covers concrete cover, curing, mix design, inspection and testing.
Addresses critical QA/QC topics including tolerances, joints, sleeves and embedded items.
Explains formwork removal, reinforcement storage and execution sequencing from a structural-performance perspective.
Helps engineers connect design intent with actual site workmanship and construction quality.

The course supports a complete understanding of medium-rise concrete construction, helping professionals move confidently between structural calculations, software models, drawings, inspections and site execution.

Course Content

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Module 01 — Structural Design Loads and Combinations (ADIBC 2013)

Develop a clear understanding of the principal loads acting on medium-rise structures, including dead, live, wind, seismic, rain, temperature and other applicable actions. Learn how these effects are combined using strength and allowable-stress design combinations to represent realistic structural loading conditions.

Module 02 — Seismic Load Requirements (ADIBC 2013)

Explore the seismic provisions presented under ADIBC 2013, including seismic design categories, site classification, mapped spectral accelerations, site coefficients and design spectral-response parameters. Understand how these inputs establish the seismic demand used in structural analysis and design.

Module 03 — Shear Wall Design (ACI 318-08)

Understand the role of reinforced-concrete shear walls in resisting wind and seismic actions, controlling drift and providing lateral stability. Examine flexural and shear resistance, vertical and horizontal reinforcement, development requirements and boundary-element considerations.

Module 04 — Seismic Analysis Using ETABS for Medium-Rise Regular Buildings

Follow a structured ETABS workflow for static seismic analysis of a regular medium-rise building. Define shear walls, pier labels, diaphragms, seismic loads and load combinations, then evaluate drift, torsional irregularity, soft-storey behaviour and shear-wall design results.

Module 05 — Modelling, Analysis & Design of Deep Foundations Using SAFE

Learn how to model pile caps, suspended ground-floor slabs and pile supports using SAFE. Integrate ETABS reactions, spring stiffness and support conditions to evaluate realistic load transfer between the building, pile caps and deep-foundation system.

Module 06 — Concrete Cover for Medium-Rise Seismic Buildings (ACI 318-14 & ASCE 7)

Understand the importance of maintaining correct concrete cover in seismic structural elements, particularly shear walls, core walls, boundary zones and link beams. Examine cover requirements, site-control methods and the relationship between durability, fire resistance, reinforcement confinement and seismic detailing.

Module 07 — Concrete Curing Requirements for Medium-Rise Seismic Buildings

Examine how curing influences concrete strength, reinforcement bond, crack control, durability and ductility. Learn appropriate curing durations and site methods for slabs, beams, columns, walls and critical seismic elements, with particular consideration for hot and dry conditions.

Module 08 — Anchorage and Lap Splices in Seismic Design

Apply reinforcement anchorage, development-length and lap-splice principles to seismic-resistant structural elements. Understand splice locations, confinement, hooks, mechanical couplers and the detailing practices required to maintain reinforcement continuity and ductile behaviour.

Module 09 — Construction Tolerances for Mid-Rise Seismic-Resistant Buildings

Understand how construction tolerances affect alignment, concrete cover, reinforcement detailing and structural continuity. Examine tolerance control for walls, columns, beams, foundations and reinforcement, together with practical inspection methods for seismic-sensitive areas.

Module 10 — Inspection & Testing of Concrete for Mid-Rise Seismic-Resistant Buildings

Explore inspection and testing procedures for fresh and hardened concrete, including slump, temperature, specimen preparation and compressive-strength testing. Learn how QA/QC documentation and targeted inspections help verify concrete quality in seismic-force-resisting systems.

Module 11 — Joints, Sleeves & Embedded Items in Seismic-Resistant Mid-Rise Buildings

Examine the structural implications of construction joints, seismic joints, sleeves, openings, embedded plates and anchor bolts. Learn how proper positioning, coordination and inspection help preserve reinforcement continuity and prevent disruption of critical lateral-load paths.

Module 12 — Fire Resistance Detailing & Concrete Cover in Seismic-Resistant Mid-Rise Buildings

Understand how fire-resistance requirements interact with seismic detailing and concrete cover. Examine the requirements affecting walls, cores, beams and columns and learn how structural, fire and MEP requirements should be coordinated without compromising seismic performance.

Module 13 — Concrete Mix Design & Admixtures for Seismic-Resistant Medium-Rise Buildings

Explore concrete mix-design principles for seismic-resistant elements, including strength, water-cement ratio, aggregate selection, supplementary cementitious materials and admixtures. Learn how mix characteristics influence workability, bond, durability and performance in congested reinforcement zones.

Module 14 — Formwork & Removal Timing for Medium-Rise Seismic-Resistant Buildings

Understand how formwork stability, shoring, bracing and removal timing affect structural integrity during construction. Learn why strength verification, rather than time alone, should govern the removal of load-bearing forms and supports in critical structural elements.

Module 15 — Reinforcement Handling & Storage for Seismic-Resistant Medium-Rise Buildings

Learn how reinforcement should be delivered, identified, handled, stored and protected before installation. The module addresses corrosion prevention, traceability, bending, cutting and storage practices required to preserve bar properties, anchorage and ductile seismic performance.

Module 16 — Execution Sequence & Workmanship for Seismic-Resistant Medium-Rise Buildings

Follow the structural construction sequence from setting out and reinforcement fixing through formwork, concrete placement, curing and subsequent stages. Understand how workmanship, pre-pour checks, joint preparation, reinforcement continuity and QA/QC influence the final seismic performance of the building.